Movie Review – Dictator

What’s its all about?

Chandu (Balakrishna), who is working at a supermarket in Hyderabad and leading a simple life lands in trouble, when he saves an aspiring actress Indu (Sonal) who is harassed by a gang. An incident at Supermarket lands him in Jail and then his uncles and others know his real identity. Who is he? The rest of the movie answers this.

Analysis:

After delivering a big hit Legend, Balakrishna was seen in Lion that failed to set the box-office on fire. To change his style a bit, he had accepted this film as director Sri Wass is known to present movies with touch of entertainment. But Sri Wass who has delivered a good mass entertainer with Gopichand starrer Loukyam seems to have confused how to handle a big star like Balakrishna and so he has chosen a clichéd story. Most of Balayya’s films have similar storyline.

The first half of the movie runs on the usual masala movie ingredients with good interval bang but post interval it drags on and loses steam. As there is not much story and lack of a strong villain, the film falls flat in the second half. Also there are some elements to keep Balakrishna’s core fans happy, not much to talk about in general. Some episodes seems to have been inspired by Hollywood movie, The Equalizer.

Performance wise Balayya has not done something that we can rave about but he has looked good. The director has succeeded in showcasing Balakrishna in different way with some good costumes. Some dialogues written for Balayya by Rathnam get claps from the fans. Anjali on the other hand looks beautiful and has performed well. Sonal Chauhan and Aksha have not much to do in the film. Prudhvi’s comedy has not worked this time. The selection of Rati Agnihotri as villain seems ‘wrong’. The story needs solid villain. There are many gangs and rowdies in the movie. Nasser and Suman are just okay.

Technically the film is good. Production values are neat, but editing is horrible. S S Thaman’s tunes are good, especially the romantic duet shot on Balakrishna and Anjali in Bulgaria is very impressive.

First half of the film is watchable. Post interval the film dips and never rises after that. Writers have failed miserably. Some comedy and the romantic track in the first half salvage the film. Balayya is in his elements and Anjali has helped the film a wee bit with her acting skills.

Bottom line: Dictator is regular mass movie aimed at Nandamuri Balakrishna’s fans. Strictly for mass audiences.